Looking to "set the scene" in a new era under Damien Hardwick, the Gold Coast Suns are aiming to snap their finals drought this year before furthering plans to reach premiership success by 2026.
The Suns, who haven't finished higher than 12th on the ladder in their 13 seasons in the AFL, have been buoyed by Hardwick's arrival ahead of the new campaign.
19 wins in the past two seasons levelled their wins tally from the prior four years combined, with the Queensland club now looking to take the next step.
Deciding to draw a line in the sand, Gold Coast chairman Bob East believes the club now has the personnel and policies in place to embark on September football.
Arriving in Melbourne this week, East has stated it would be "a missed opportunity" not to take advantage of the direction the club is heading.
"We've got to be competitive but we've got to do it uniquely our way," East told RSNย on Wednesday of the club's three-year plan.
"It's not just a statement on a wall, there's actually a lot of hard work that's gone into building this up to a base where we think now we have a platform.
"It's the first time, I believe, we've got a platform. It would be a missed opportunity if we didn't be bold and state where we're headed.
"It's certainly getting some excitement up in our territory, but now we've got to deliver. It's hard work.
"I thought it was good to take the opportunity to set the scene. We do hear a lot of commentary, particularly from down south, about what the Suns might, or might not, be doing and how we're going about it.
"I think it's an opportune time, in the pre-season, to get in and clearly state some objectives and build some communication."
Hardwick, a three-time premiership coach at Richmond, has brought new energy to Carrara along with his wealth of coaching experience.
While the champion coach is the new face of the club, East believes the club is "better positioned now than we ever have been" thanks to a club-wide approach and buy-in that has the Suns "walking a bit taller".
"There's a buoyancy there, an absolute energy in the organisation," East added.
"That's a whole club approach, but I believe Damien has done everything he can to bring that energy and passion
"It does feel we are walking a bit taller now, but we are also heads down and working as hard as we possibly can to deserve the success we think we can bring.
"... We've had a look right through the organisation, we're making improvements throughout. We're better positioned now than we ever have been.
"But it's not just about that one appointment, it's about a whole club approach to making sure we can deliver."
Hardwick's reign on the Gold Coast will commence in Opening Round when the Suns welcome his old club Richmond to Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday, March 9.
